There was a bus-sized asteroid that passed within just 56,000 miles of the Earth on Thursday. The asteroid, now named 2022 NF, had never been observed by astronomers before. Approximately 23 percent of the distance between the Earth and the Moon was passed by when it passed by the Earth.

An asteroid of the size of a school bus was identified by astronomers on July 4 as part of the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System (Pan-STARRS). One of the primary ways that scientists detect near-Earth objects is with the telescope and camera system in Hawaii.

Even though asteroid NF 2022 passed closer to Earth than the majority of the NEOs we've seen as of late, it remains to be considered not a potentially hazardous asteroid due to its proximity to Earth. The reason for that is that this asteroid is only between 18 and 41 feet wide (5.5 to 12.5 meters) when it is at its largest point.

Normally, an asteroid that might present a threat to humans would measure at least 460 feet (140 meters) in length.

There is also a requirement that they must pass within 4.6 million miles of the Earth. NF 2022 was still a bus-sized asteroid despite not being hazardous. However, it could still cause damage depending on where it strikes, even if it wouldn't do catastrophic damage.

Asteroids such as NF 2022 may not pose a high threat, but there are many out there that could cause catastrophic damage.

Multiple near-Earth objects have been discovered that could cause damage if they hit the Earth. Even though none of the above have come close to hitting, there is still a valid concern among many.

Thus, many people are already looking for ways to make it easier for them to detect asteroids. Astroid detection systems have been proposed by some nations, such as China, in the past. In this way, it would be much easier for us to identify any asteroids that are the size of a bus or larger.

There are some space agencies that are working on defensive measures we can take in order to divert any asteroids on a collision course with the Earth from colliding with it.

NASA is developing its D.A.R.T. system, which is intended to alter the orbital track of asteroids. The system will be tested by NASA later this year.

In order to change the asteroid's course by an extremely small margin, D.A.R.T. will require NASA to ram a spacecraft against its side. It is also likely that this margin of safety will expand as the asteroid continues on its path.